Willa Robinson

EF-first is spot on and with your job not guaranteed I’d push that to 4–6 months before getting aggressive elsewhere. Since you’re buying soon, skip extra loan prepayments; they won’t lower your required payment for DTI and they drain cash you’ll need for down payment and reserves so yeah after the EF target, channel the “practice mortgage” amount into the down payment and aim to still have at least 2 months of PITIA left as reserves after closing; if you’re on an income-driven plan & make sure it’s up to date so the reported payment helps your DTI.

Seconding the Clara 2E; if you can stretch a bit the Kobo Libra 2 adds page-turn buttons and a comfier one-handed grip for bed while still giving you warm light, and it goes on sale fairly often. On either Kindle or Kobo, try dark mode and nudge the font weight up one step instead of dimming too far - E Ink looks crisper that way. Also turn on full page refresh every page at night to cut ghosting, and set the warm-light schedule to shift gradually before bedtime.

3-month rule is solid and if yours frays sooner it usually means you’re pressing too hard - let the brush do the work, use a soft head, and if your handle has a pressure sensor, pay attention to it. In hard water, pop the head off after each use, shake off water, dry it upright, and occasionally wipe the metal post and the inside of the head so mineral grit doesn’t grind the connection between vinegar soaks. To save money, reputable third-party heads that fit snugly can be fine, and I’d still replace a bit early after a bad cold.

Cleaning that model without wrecking it takes some trial and error... I had a similar soda spill on my favorites and and brushing didn't cut it either and so I ended up using a mixture of mild soap and water, but lightly dabbed on with a sponge, then blotted dry immediately. Risky, I know. But it worked for me. For ongoing care in rainy areas, frequent gentle cleaning and avoiding deep puddles helps a ton. And those scuff marks from parties? A quick once-over with a soft cloth and some patience. Yeah.

On a tight budget I went secondhand and it worked out well. Under two hundred can still get you a sturdy that model if you spend time inspecting before buying. Fold and unfold repeatedly and watch the side arms near the hinge for any spreading or white stress lines. Push it fast down a hallway then brake hard to check for frame sway. Lift the front a little and shake it to listen for rattles from loose hardware. If the wheels are worn into flats or the front swivels chatter at walking speed, pass. Think about future fit, not just the infant stage. A taller canopy clearance and a deeper seat keep a bigger kid from slouching, and a firm footrest helps when they climb in themselves. I also care about reach into the basket when the seat is reclined since that is real life with naps. If your building has stairs, a carry grip that stays centered makes a big difference when your arms are already full, and a standing fold means you can set it down by the door without it splaying open. Do a quick wipe and screw check every few weeks. Keeps it going.